This teaching is recorded in Mark 13:1-37.  Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives with his disciples, looking at the temple.  One of the disciples had commented on how magnificent the buildings looked.  Jesus told them the buildings weren’t going to last, that every stone would be thrown down eventually.

Peter, James, John and Andrew wanted to know when and what sign would be given to know this prophecy is about to be fulfilled. I am going to let you read Jesus’ answer for yourself and ask you to discuss this reading with people who have a good understanding of the Scriptures.  There are some verses that stand out to me and I will share those –

“These are the beginning of birth pains.”  – Sometimes I think of this in terms of literal childbirth and having giving birth I know how the child pushes and presses against the mother’s womb and body when it’s time to be born.  It’s uncomfortable and sometimes people around the mother in labor are uncomfortable as well, but there are people who are trained to help a mother give birth to her child and bring a sense of calm to the situation at hand.  When Jesus died he declared an inheritance of peace to his people.  God has also promised to give his Holy Spirit to all flesh, young and old, male and female.  The Holy Spirit is a counselor; the Holy Spirit, whom we cannot see, is the Comforter that Jesus promised to send as well.

Jesus did not give the teaching about the beginning of birth pains to create a sense of anxiety – he answered a question that four of his disciples asked and they shared his teaching with other people.  One of the things Jesus taught them that they felt important enough to share is this:

“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.”

(Mark 13:10)

I think it’s important for people to understand that the word nation does not mean country.  Nation means all families, forget about genealogy, forget about cultural divides.  Nation includes Heathens, Gentiles and Pagans, not only just a select few.   Jesus’ teaching does not mean that the church and the altar of the Lord should be conformed to their altars, but that when the Gospel is preached effectively, they will transform their altars to one that glorifies God.

What does this mean to us in our day?  It means since the world is still in existence and people are being born everyday that we should continue to share the Gospel with our children and help the church proclaim the Gospel to the community.

One of the most effective ways the church has in transforming altars that do not glorify God is by preaching the Gospel through Holy Communion in the Eucharist.  Members of the church are called to live out the gospel message of God’s love for all people as best as they are able to in their homes and neighborhoods and places of work and recreation.  Before the members can do that, they must experience hearing and receiving the messages that Jesus Christ proclaimed through Word and relationship.

Jesus ends his answer to the disciples original question telling them no one but God the Father knows the answer to their question and he closes the teaching with these words “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (Mark 13:37)

What does this mean?  Watch!  Does this mean to stand or sit around and look at life from a distance?  Does this mean to watch for the signs that the disciples were asking about?  No, what Jesus is saying to his disciples and to everyone is to  be careful and to be safe. The first of this teaching also began with “Watch.”    Jesus told his disciples:  “Watch out that no one deceives you.  Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.” (Mark 13:5)

Lord, Please help us to be careful and keep us safe through the knowledge of your Truth, You are the Truth and the Way.  Help us to study your Word, give us faithful and fruitful teachers who will not deceive us.  Please give us your Holy Spirit and the gifts of knowledge and understanding, give us the gift of discernment, so that we may have confidence in your Love for the whole world and in your teachings.  Thank you for the life of Jesus Christ, your son, Our Savior.  Help us to participate in the effective preaching of the Gospel message by using the gifts you have given us in cooperation with You and one another.  We ask this for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls.  AMEN